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The westlife story article (old one)
Topic Started: Dec 30 2006, 07:58 PM (75 Views)
JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS
The Westlife story
Page One | Page Two

As the news broke, heartbreak and trauma spread throughout the country. For many, life would never be the same again. Nobody had expected news like this. Bryan had quit Westlife.


As the band announced the departure in a blur of tears and manly hugs at a Dublin press conference, fans reacted with shock and dismay. The big, tall cuddly one was on his way out. Pop fans had just recovered from the shock of Atomic Kitten's split - could Westlife be next?
While it's easy to be cynical about the demise of our nation's favourite pop acts, the sales statistics reveal bands like Westlife bring smiles to many millions of happy, singing fans. The group have worked tirelessly for five years and have defeated many challengers to their pop crown. Westlife have brought a welcome bright escapism - and carefully gelled haircuts - to the British charts.
The pressures of fame
The tabloid newspapers have suggested that Bryan has left due to conflict and bitter divisions within the group. I can reveal this is not true. Over the last five years I have enjoyed countless drunken nights with the Irish super-group, interviewed them many times, and watched them rise to the top of the pop tree. Yes, I have witnessed arguments and stresses within the band, but nothing that suggested anything more than passionate friends dealing with the pressures of fame. Disagreements were never left to linger.
The group has endured marriages, babies, and audacious media intrusion into their public lives. Anybody who witnessed the tears and heard the passionate comments made by the band at the press conference this week will know the truth. Professional, not personal reasons fuelled the departure. Comparisons have been made to Robbie Williams' press conference after leaving Take That, but the difference in emotion was clear for all to see.
Smiles and Guinness
Sharing time with Westlife has always guaranteed two things - lots of smiles and lots of Guinness. The merits of their musical talents may be open to debate, but nobody could ever question their talents for partying. Over the years, the band's favourite bar has been Lilly Bordellos in Dublin. The band have celebrated their finest moments amongst friends in the gorgeous bar, away from the prying media. My liver will never forget the many nights of mayhem...
On a typical night, when the bar officially closed, Westlife and a handful of other special guests would make their way up to a secret bar at the top of the building. Other leading Irish stars would often join the after hours drinks; U2, Boyzone and The Corrs were all familiar faces. The presence of a grand piano in the corner would often inspire rousing sing-a-longs with many star names, drunken performances that would have delighted and bewildered music fans. I have witnessed some remarkable nights.

Fight or flight
One particularly heavy evening nearly ended in the premature departure of Kian, from not only Westlife, but from life itself. The boys all knew how to enjoy themselves but to me Kian was always the biggest drinker. Maybe he just handled it the worst! Having watched him drain the bar for most of the evening, then have an argument about a girl he was trying to kiss, and then fall asleep, I thought the entertainment was over.
Then about an hour later, as I stood at the foot of the stairs waiting in line with his band-mate Mark Feehily for the toilet, I looked up to see a terrifying sight. Kian speeding towards me as he tumbled down the stairs. I managed to catch him in mid-flight as he headed for a dramatic conclusion to his journey. We both landed in a heap, but serious injury was avoided. I was hoping for at least album royalties for saving his life but I do not think he realised what had happened. Or where he was. Or indeed why he was lying in my arms. To his delight he had managed to hold on to his beer bottle throughout the flight; he smiled, drank the remains, hugged me and headed back to the bar.
Evolution
So now, as the dust settles on Bryan's departure, one question is on everybody's lips - will the band survive? My personal opinion is that the four remaining guys will struggle to get used to their "new" band. Bryan played an important role in the group - his sense of humour and relaxed attitude was an important ingredient in the Westlife success story, particularly through the bad times. If the band do split I predict solo success for Shane. Ronan Keating told me that Shane is the one who has the talent and ambition to do something special on his own. Keating has been with the band from the start, he co-managed and helped picked the boys for the band. His prediction should not be ignored.
If Westlife do split, and join the swollen pop graveyard, don't waste too many tears - it's all a part of the great music evolutionary system. From The Beatles to Bros, pop finds a way to survive. The claims that "pop is dead" are surely premature - it isn't over until the fat lady sings! If so, this year's Pop Idol winner might have a lot to answer for...

source: Virgin.net
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